# Battery Electrolyte Characterization

Source: https://covalent.com/exclusively-by-covalent/battery-electrolyte-characterization/
Updated: 2026-09-17T22:18:33+00:00

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Exclusively by Covalent

# Battery Electrolyte Characterization

A comprehensive, multi-technique analysis of lithium-ion battery electrolytes covering solvent composition, salt concentration, trace impurities, and ionic conductivity across temperature.

## A Complete Electrolyte Profile

This packaged analysis delivers everything you need to fully characterize a battery electrolyte — from the major solvents down to trace degradation products and elemental impurities.

### Scope of analysis

- Quantification of solvents (e.g., EC, EMC weight ratio) and additives
- Lithium salt concentration (LiPF6, LiBF4)
- Detection of degradation products (LiPO2F2, HF)
- Full elemental survey via ICP-OES (40+ elements)
- Ionic conductivity from −20 °C to +80 °C

###

### Deliverables

- Full written report with expert interpretation
- Quantitative results table (all techniques)
- NMR spectra with peak assignments
- GC-MS chromatograms and library matches
- EIS Nyquist plots and conductivity vs. temperature
- ICP-OES elemental table (detected + LOD values)

## Typical Sample

Designed for liquid electrolyte formulations used in lithium-ion batteries — including commercial electrolytes, in-house formulations, and aged or cycled samples for stability studies. As-received, sealed samples accepted.

**Example:** 1.2 M LiPF6 in 3/7 (w/w) EC/EMC — nominal values verified with quantitative precision by our scientists.

## Who This Is For

- Battery manufacturers verifying electrolyte purity
- R&D teams developing new electrolyte formulations
- QC labs screening incoming materials
- Failure analysts investigating cell degradation
- Regulatory submissions requiring certified data

## Four Techniques. One Report.

Each technique targets a distinct property of the electrolyte, and the results are cross-validated for maximum confidence.

 [GC-MS](https://covalent.com/techniques/chemical-analysis/gas-chromatography-mass-spectroscopy-gc-ms/)

Identifies and quantifies volatile solvent components. Detects trace organic impurities using JEOL AccuTOF with <18.7 fg detection limit and NIST/Wiley 2023 library (>950,000 compounds).

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 [1H & 19F Liquid qNMR](https://covalent.com/techniques/chemical-analysis/nuclear-magnetic-resonance-spectroscopy-nmr/)

Quantitative NMR on a 500 MHz JEOL ECZL-G. Determines solvent weight ratios and salt concentrations with quantitative precision; identifies fluorine-containing species including LiPF6, LiBF4, HF, and LiPO2F2.

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 [ICP-OES](https://covalent.com/techniques/chemical-analysis/inductively-coupled-plasma-optical-emission-spectroscopy-icp-oes/)

Full elemental survey covering 40+ elements from sub-ppm to percent levels. Confirms metal content consistent with salt assignments and detects trace contaminants such as Si, Na, and B.

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  Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS)

Air-free measurements using a glassy carbon | Pt two-electrode cell (rhd microsystems). Ionic conductivity determined at 12 temperatures from −20 to +80 °C.

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## What the Data Looks Like

Below is a representative results summary from a "Gen 2" commercial electrolyte (1.2 M LiPF6 in 3/7 w/w EC/EMC), showing the type of outputs you receive.

| **Classification** | **Component** | **Result** | **Technique** |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Solvent | Ethylene Carbonate (EC) | 30.3 wt% | GC-MS, NMR |
| Solvent | Ethyl Methyl Carbonate (EMC) | 69.7 wt% | GC-MS, NMR |
| Salt | LiPF6 | 1.12 M | NMR, ICP-OES |
| Impurity | LiBF4 | 0.0003 M | NMR, ICP-OES |
| Degradation | LiPO2F2 | 0.001 M | NMR |
| Degradation | HF | Not Detected | NMR |
| Physical | Conductivity at 25 °C | 8.75 mS/cm | EIS |

### Key Findings — Expert Interpretation Included

- Solvent composition matched the nominal 3/7 (w/w) EC/EMC ratio to within measurement uncertainty — confirming accurate formulation.
- LiPF6 at 1.12 M (nominal: 1.2 M) — slightly below spec, with potential implications for ionic conductivity at low temperatures.
- Trace LiPO2F2 detected — a known LiPF6 degradation product suggesting minor hydrolysis. No HF present, indicating degradation has not progressed to the dangerous phase.
- Trace LiBF4 and boron by ICP-OES point to likely cross-contamination during formulation — a finding that informs supplier quality discussions.
- No volatile organic impurities detected by GC-MS. Trace Si and Na identified by ICP-OES — consistent with container leaching.

## Air-Free EIS Across −20 °C to +80 °C

Ionic conductivity is measured at 12 temperatures using an Ar-glovebox-loaded, temperature-controlled cell. Results inform electrolyte performance modeling across operational conditions.

![Graph showing increase in covalent network strength with rising temperature.](https://spcdn.shortpixel.ai/spio/ret_img,q_cdnize,to_auto,s_webp:avif/covalent.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ionic-conductivity-vs-temperature-1024x610.png)

| **Temp (°C)** | **Conductivity (mS/cm)** |
| --- | --- |
| −20 | 2.66 |
| −10 | 3.77 |
| 0 | 5.06 |
| 10 | 6.49 |
| 20 | 7.99 |
| 25 | 8.75 |
| 30 | 9.54 |
| 40 | 11.2 |
| 50 | 12.9 |
| 60 | 14.5 |
| 70 | 16.3 |
| 80 | 18.0 |

## From Sample to Report

Ship your sample and receive a complete, expert-authored report — no project management overhead on your end.

### Submit a Quote Request

Describe your electrolyte and objectives. We'll confirm scope and turnaround.

### Ship Your Sample

As-received, sealed containers accepted. Air-sensitive handling available.

### Multi-Technique Analysis

GC-MS, NMR, ICP-OES, and EIS run in parallel by our PhD scientists.

### Expert Report Delivered

Full report with data, spectra, tables, and written interpretation — delivered to your MyData portal.

Table of Contents

## Why choose Covalent for Battery Electrolyte Characterization?

Get a complete picture of your battery electrolyte — solvents, salts, impurities, and conductivity — in a single, expert-authored report.

 [Talk to an Expert](/get-a-quote/)

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What sample types can be submitted?

This analysis can be performed on most liquid lithium-ion battery electrolyte formulations, neat or aged. Cells may also be accepted in many cases, with electrolyte extraction performed by Covalent experts.

### Can air-sensitive samples be handled?

Yes. Air-sensitive storage and handling is available.

### What do I receive at the end?

A full written report with expert interpretation, quantitative results tables, NMR spectra, GC-MS chromatograms, EIS plots, and the ICP-OES elemental table — delivered to your MyData portal.

Let's Solve Your Material Testing
 Challenges Together

 Consult with our scientists to analyze failures, accelerate development, and optimize material performance.

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